What you can do

It’s been a rough week. I’ve been fighting infections for the past several days (meaning spiking fevers, having ice packs applied and being the recipient of the “big guns,” as far as antibiotics are concerned). It now looks like they’ll pull out my hickman line, as that is the most likely source. The bummer about that is that I’ll have to have the hickman reinserted for my next chemotherapy treatment. But, that won’t be for another 6 weeks or so. But, there’s nothing you can do about that.

What you can do is this:From day one I have been the grateful recipient of the life-saving blood and blood products (plasma, cryopercipitate, platelets, and hemoglobin). I made my first blood donation last year (about this time). That tiny amount pales in comparison to the amount that I have used so far. Spread this need across the city, the state, the country and the need, to say the least, multiplies greatly. So, if you really want to do something (and qualify), please donate blood or platelets. If you live in the Twin Cities, the Red Cross has a direct relationship with Regions Hospital, and there is an option of designating me as a recipient (it’s more of an honorary designation – won’t actually go to me, but the hospital does actually keep track).

So, that’s what you can do.

ETA: The laundry list of things that I normally do around the house is being created, so those of you who’ve offered help in that specific manner may be tapped. It is tremendously appreciated.

I haven’t done so in a long time. Once dh gets back from his business trip, I am going to coordinate a time to go and do so. I wish I lived in the twin cities so I can designate you, but I think the most important thing is getting those donations out there. Thanks for the motivation.

Seeing someone you love go through the experience of receiving donated blood, makes it closer to home, knowing and seeing the importance of donating blood. Thanks for the “push” in motivating us to that end. Love you guys.

I’ll have to try donating again. I don’t have a good history with it. I have never been able to fill up a bag all the way, and I’ve passed out after (even with staying for the cookies and juice). But I’ll give it another shot.

Just wanted to drop a note and say Shannon and I are thinking about you. The gestation of Baby B. continues well, but as both Shannon and I have been fighting some little bugs for a while we haven’t felt it wise to visit. But I promise the good vibes are sent!

I’ll get some blood in the pipeline (so to speak) for you. Actually never donated before, but if this doesn’t spur me, nothing will.

I noted your entry about not wanting Scratchcraft to be the ‘Dan’s health’ blog. Of course, WE all want news. Forgive me if you already heard about this, but both Shannon and I have had people in our lives who had major health events and set up sites with CaringBridge. They’re a great nonprofit (happen to be local)set up just for this purpose, and they make it super easy to set up a site to distribute information, collect well-wishes and centralize communications with everyone. http://www.caringbridge.org/